In the wake of recent terror attacks, the Pakistan Army has launched an unofficial counteroffensive against terrorists in both tribal and settled areas of FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets and gunship helicopters are hammering terrorist hideouts since February 20. Scores of dreaded terrorist commanders, both local and foreign, were among those killed in the airstrikes.
A security official said that it was just a reaction and the government was yet to go for a formal military action against Taliban terrorists, following failure of its efforts for settling the issue through talks.
TIRAH AIRSTRIKES:
On Sunday, PAF fighter jets carried out airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts killing 38 of them and injuring more than 15 others in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency.
According to a security official, the fighter jets impounded various hideouts in the valley and reportedly destroyed an improvised explosives device (IEDs) making factory and a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives.
The official said that security forces with the help of gunship helicopters targeted terrorist hideouts in various areas of Tirah Valley.
A large number of local and foreign terrorists are sheltering in scattered areas of the valley, bordering Afghanistan.
During a period of three days, it is the army’s third airstrike in the tribal areas and Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The first airstrike was focused on terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan Agency and second offensive aimed at terrorist strongholds in Thall area of Hangu District.
On February 20, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave a go-ahead for the airstrikes after consultations with the top military leadership.
Khyber Agency is one of the seven semi-autonomous agencies located along with Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The TTP terrorists and other al Qaeda-linked groups, who carry out attacks mainly on mosques, churches and other public places, are known to have strongholds in the area.
KOHAT BOMBING:
On the other hand, as many as 13 people, including a woman, were killed and 15 others injured in a bombing in Kohat on Sunday.
Condition of several injured was said to be in danger.
Kohat District Police Officer Salim Marwat told Pakistan Today that the bombing occurred at a bus stand on Hangu Road at around 1pm. He said that a 5-kg improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a fruit carton.
The high-intensity bombing killed six people on the spot. Another seven, including a woman, succumbed to their injuries on their way to a hospital. The injured included women and children and doctors termed condition of several injured people in danger.
On Saturday, security forces with the help of gunship helicopters targeted terrorist hideouts in Hangu District adjacent to Kohat, killing at least nine terrorists.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain among others condemned the bombing and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in Kohat.
CURFEW IMPOSED IN NWA:
Moreover, the political administration on Sunday imposed a curfew in most parts of North Waziristan Agency, including Tehsil Mir Ali, Miranshah, Data Khel, Razmak and Dosali for an indefinite period of time.
Security forces have also been given shoot-at-sight orders against violators.
According to sources, security forces are patrolling the streets and security has been heightened on all entry/exit points.
Hundreds of people have started leaving the area for safer places following the deadlock between government and the banned terrorist outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. However, the residents were forced to wait until relaxation or lifting of the curfew.
Around 700,000 residents of the agency are feared to migrate to safer places if the government decides to launch a military operation against terrorists.
Source: Hindi News
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